That should net the club over #12million, with #3million then used to make James Milner's move permanent.

That would leave #9.25million to find a centre-back (if Gary Cahill is deemed too young to withstand an entire season on the first team), a playmaker and a centre forward.

Martin Laursen's hopeful return would still leave three fewer players to choose from, but the youngsters can more than make up for that.

The second route is far simpler. Get rid of O'Leary and all of a sudden the likes of Delaney, Hendrie, Samuel, Angel and Baros - even Djemba-Djemba perhaps - could get a new lease of life. The first four of those could be placed on new one-year or two-year contracts to keep them sweet because there is no doubting their qualities as players.

The hugely influential Olof Mellberg, under a new manager, would all of a sudden start to play with a smile on his face. The sale of Berson and Djemba-Djemba and an undoubted rise in season-ticket sales would release funds for players.

A decision would have to be made on whether to keep Baros for one more season.

Cash-in on the Czech striker and you'd have enough in the pot surely to try to cherry-pick a Zoltan Gera from Albion, a Julio Arca from Sunderland or a Jermaine Pennant from Blues.

Hardly top of the range but players to give a rigid-looking Villa side just that bit more sparkle.